Congressman Turner, Speaker Rosenberger Hold Press Conference on BRAC Funding Amendment in House Budget Bill
Congressman Mike Turner and Speaker of the Ohio House Clifford A. Rosenberger (R-Clarksville) held a press conference today to discuss the newly added amendment to Am. Sub. House Bill 64 that would provide $5 million in funding over the biennium to military installations in Ohio to prepare for the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC).
The press conference was held at the National Aviation Hall of Fame at the National Museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.
“It has been a great experience working with Speaker Rosenberger as he has launched this commission,” Congressman Turner said. “I look forward to seeing the kind of impact an increase in funding can have on our military installations here in Ohio. Together, we see the need to support our servicemen and women and our installations like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to the best of our ability.”
“I want to thank Congressman Turner and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for hosting us today to discuss the Ohio Military Facilities Commission,” Speaker Rosenberger said. “It’s the ideal location to discuss how funding from this state budget could positively affect military installations all across Ohio. I look forward to continuing to work with leaders such as Congressman Turner and military personnel and facilities to ensure that we are prepared for BRAC and that our communities can be supported and protected.”
The Ohio Military Facilities Commission would be tasked with providing state funding to military installations in Ohio to ensure that they are prepared for BRAC. Projects would be considered by a board comprised of cabinet members and legislators from the General Assembly with an alternating chair appointed by the Speaker of the House and Senate President every two years.
Congress originally established the BRAC Commission to ensure the integrity of the base closure and realignment process. The last round of base closures occurred in 2005, with another round expected to come in the near future.